Journal of Biology and Nature

Freshwater catfishes are ecologically and economically important components of riverine ecosystems, and their diversity reflects habitat quality and environmental conditions. River confluences support heterogeneous habitats and rich fish assemblages but increasing anthropogenic pressures may threaten their biodiversity and long-term persistence. The present study assessed the diversity, relative abundance, conservation status, and major threats affecting freshwater catfishes at the Wainganga–Chulbandh River confluence near Soni-Chapral, Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India. Field surveys were conducted twice weekly from December 2024 to November 2025 along a 3-km stretch extending upstream and downstream of the confluence. Fish were collected with the assistance of local fishermen using cast nets, gill nets, drag nets, and hook-and-line methods and were identified from external morphological and meristic characteristics. Thirteen species representing seven families were recorded. Bagridae was the dominant family, comprising six species (46.15%), followed by Siluridae with two species (15.38%); each remaining family was represented by one species (7.69%). Based on field occurrence, nine species (69.23%) were common, three (23.08%) were rare, and one (7.69%) was occasional. The IUCN categories assigned to the recorded fauna comprised ten Least Concern species, two Vulnerable species, and one Near Threatened species. The confluence supported a comparatively rich catfish assemblage, but destructive fishing practices, harvesting of juvenile fish, agricultural runoff, habitat degradation, and river regulation were identified as potential pressures. The findings provide site-specific baseline information for biodiversity monitoring and indicate the need for habitat protection, sustainable fishing practices, pollution reduction, community awareness, and periodic assessment of catfish populations in the Wainganga–Chulbandh River system.